Dimitar Berbatov has dismissed claims Arsenal have already broken the back of the title race and says their lead at the top of the Premier League is ‘nothing’.
The Gunners, aiming to win their first league title since 2004, moved six points clear at the top of the table with a 4-1 win over north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday.
Arsenal were desperate to take advantage of Liverpool and Manchester City defeats earlier in the weekend and brushed aside Spurs to tighten their grip on the title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side finished second in the Premier League for three years in a row but now look well-placed to end their 22-year wait for a title.
Berbatov, who won the Premier League twice with Manchester United, expects Arsenal to be ‘really tested’ over the hectic festive period and says their title credentials will become clearer in the New Year.
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The former striker has downplayed Arsenal’s current six-point cushion in the title race and warned the league leaders about a title challenge from Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca’s side, who lifted the Club World Cup trophy over the summer, have won five of their last six league games to climb to second in the Premier League.
Asked if Arsenal’s consistent and impressive form meant the title race was all but over, Berbatov told ESPN: ‘No, no.
‘Everyone here knows the Premier League is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Now comes the festive fixtures, the games where you’ll be really tested.
‘If you get out of this period with good results and are still in a good position – top with a good points advantage – then you are halfway there.
‘But let’s not jump to conclusions yet. Of course Liverpool are low in the table and Man City are dropping points, but there are other teams like Chelsea who can surprise people.
‘Six points is a good cushion but in the Premier League it’s nothing and can go very quickly.’
Chelsea have also been talked up as possible title contenders by Stamford Bridge legend John Terry.
The Blues can cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to just three points when they play host to the Gunners on Saturday.
‘A big game at the weekend now as Arsenal come to the Bridge where it’s going to be a very big game,’ Premier League icon Terry said on TikTok.
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‘I’m not saying it’s going to be a title decider but I think it’s going to be one of the two teams [who win the league].
‘For me, Liverpool are 100 per cent out of the title race. Liverpool look they’re really struggling at the moment.’
Discussing Chelsea’s most recent win over Burnley, Terry added: ‘A good away win from the boys, really important to pick up the three points, especially after sustaining a little bit of pressure in the first half from Burnley.
‘I said they would try and hit us on the counterattack and they definitely did that in the first half and we had three unbelievable blocks defensively.
‘I think the only thing for me in the second half we probably needed to take our chances, especially when we come up against the bigger and better sides.’
Before Chelsea will attempt to inflict a blow to Arsenal’s title hopes, they face Barcelona in a huge Champions League clash on Tuesday night.
Arsenal are also in European action this week, with German champions Bayern Munich travelling to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
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